Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

A Transformative Leadership Opportunity at the Royal College of Art: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

The Royal College of Art (RCA), a globally recognized institution with a rich history dating back to 1837, stands as the world's largest and oldest continuously operating postgraduate art and design university. Consistently ranked #1 globally for art and design for an unprecedented eleven consecutive years, the RCA is embarking on an ambitious journey to become the world's most influential art and design community by its 200th anniversary in 2037. This vision is guided by a commitment to exploring emerging technologies, addressing critical global challenges like climate change and inequality, and fostering dynamic national and international collaborations.

This pivotal role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) offers a unique chance for a visionary leader to shape the future of creative research and innovation at a world-leading institution.

The Opportunity: Strategic Leadership in Research and Innovation

Reporting directly to the President & Vice-Chancellor and as a key member of the RCA Executive Board, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) will be instrumental in providing strategic direction across all facets of research, knowledge exchange, innovation, and consultancy. This is a senior academic position with the mandate to ensure the RCA not only maintains but enhances its standing as the UK's most research-intensive art and design specialist institution. The successful candidate will cultivate and expand world-leading partnerships with business, industry, government, and communities.

Key Responsibilities and Areas of Influence:

• Spearheading a forward-thinking, cross-disciplinary research and innovation ecosystem.
• Providing leadership for critical components including:
  • Research Centres and doctoral programmes.
  • InnovationRCA, one of the UK's most successful university incubators.
  • Executive education and consultancy functions.
• Driving significant growth in research funding and diversifying income streams.
• Enhancing cost recovery while upholding the highest standards of research integrity, impact, and innovation.

Key Priorities for the Incoming Leader:

• Orchestrating the launch of a new, ambitious Research and Innovation Strategy for 2026-2030.
• Establishing two new, significant College-wide initiatives focused on pressing areas of sustainability and future technologies.
• Elevating research quality, with a target to increase outputs scoring 3 and 4 stars in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2029) by at least 10%.

What Makes This Role Compelling for Your Career Path?

This Pro Vice-Chancellor position presents an exceptional platform for a leader passionate about the transformative power of art and design research. You will have the opportunity to:

• Shape Global Impact: Directly influence the direction of research and innovation at an institution consistently recognized as a global leader, contributing to solutions for pressing societal and environmental issues.
• Drive Strategic Growth: Lead initiatives that will significantly increase research funding, diversify revenue, and foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Foster a Collaborative Culture: Champion an inclusive and collaborative research environment that nurtures excellence at all career stages, from emerging doctoral candidates to established researchers.
• Innovate and Pioneer: Be at the forefront of developing new strategies and initiatives, particularly in areas like sustainability and future technologies, positioning the RCA as a pioneer in these fields.
• Executive Level Influence: Gain invaluable experience operating at the highest executive level within a prestigious academic institution, influencing strategic decisions and institutional development.
• Long-Term Vision: The role offers a 5-year term (renewable) with a substantive permanent professorial role, providing both immediate impact and long-term career stability and growth.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

The RCA is seeking an individual with:

• A demonstrable and successful track record in leading research initiatives and developing strategic partnerships.
• Proven experience in securing substantial research funding.
• A profound commitment to cultivating an inclusive, collaborative, and excellence-driven research culture.

This is more than just a leadership role; it's an opportunity to be a driving force in the future of creative research and innovation on a global scale. If you are a visionary leader with a passion for art, design, and groundbreaking research, this position at the Royal College of Art is an exceptional next step in your career.